In Easton, fire suppression system extinguishes – people!

An ANSUL fire suppression system dropped a dry powder chemical – on people and vehicles – at Mobil in Easton.

Cody Shepard The Enterprise @cshepard_ENT

EASTON — It looked like it snowed in town on Saturday morning – but only in the parking lot of one gas station.

The fire suppression system dropped a dry powder chemical about 8:22 a.m., Saturday, at Mobil, at 491 Foundry St., while the shop was open.

"There was an accidental release of the ANSUL dry chemical system," Fire Chief Kevin Partridge said. "The company came down that maintains it and believes, for some reason, there was an issue with one of the heat detectors that set it off."

At least two people and one vehicle were hit by the initial drop of powder. They were evaluated by paramedics, but declined medical treatment.

"While my guys were there, it went off an additional three times, additional canisters," Partridge said.

The system is meant to drop powder that can quickly extinguish a fire if there is an issue near the gas pumps. The fire chief said the powder isn't something people should stand in or breathe in for long periods of time, but that it's generally not harmful.

The company that maintains the system had to inspect it before the gas station was allowed to reopen.